Early voting using optical scanners starts Aug. 11; here's how

A year ago Indian River and Martin county were mandated by the state Legislature to start using the system that creates a paper record of every vote cast.

Early voting for the primary begins Aug. 11 with voters throughout the Treasure Coast using optical scan equipment.

Indian River and Martin counties, along with 23 other counties, were mandated a year ago by the state Legislature to start using the system that creates a paper record of every vote cast. St. Lucie County has been using optical scan equipment for years.

If you've ever taken a test where you had to fill in blank oval with a No. 2 pencil, or draw a line to connect points, you've been trained to undertake a key step of optical scan voting.

Election officials say if you have questions, you can stop any time before the ballot is tabulated and ask for assistance from a poll worker or exchange your ballot for a new one and start over. However, state law limits a voter to only two do-overs.